Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-09-07
THE CLOAK OF TRUTH.

there lived in the days when fairies still
visited this earth, little girl whose name
was Yuddi. Her parents were poor and
had to work hard and continuously to gain
even the small amount on which oriental
laborers are able to support life. Poor
little Yuddi's childhood was not very full
of pleasure. For her were none Of the toys
and games that modern skill and ingenuity
have fashioned, to make the season Of
youth enjoyable.
A few naturally rounded stones with
which kind of game of marbles" was
lust practicable, and bundle of rags
which did duty for doll, were her sole
means of amusement. And even these
she had but little time to enjoy; for as
soon rs she was strong enough she was
required to help to weed and CLEAN in the
rice and grain fields in summer; and in
winter to assist her mother In keeping
their hut-which was made OF twisted
bamboo canes plastered with mud-in
order. In the cold season Yuddi was &C.
casionaly sent to school presided over
by a wise old Brahmin, Rhasta, who for
o few s'pice," as tho smallest native coin
Is called, taught his pupils as much IS
their brains could absorb in the limited
time they gave to study.
Many people think that India Is land
where great heat prevails the year round.
This is true only Of certain of the south
ern parts; but in the north, where there
are some of the highest mountains in
the world and where farming is carried
on in the valleys between lofty hills or
upon very elevated plateaus, the cold in
winter and during the long ''rainy season"
Is often intense. Poor Yuddi frequently
suffered much from the bitter weather,
her clothing being thin and scantyy while
the walls of the hut and the loosely fitting
doorway admitted q great deal Of frosty
air.
The dearest wish Of her heart was for q
large, warm cloak, in which she could
brave the cold when she was allowed to 60
to school and wrap herself ut night.
Often and often she prayed that such q
good gift might be sent to her, but for q
long time in vain. She had heard great
deal about fairies who watched over good
children, yet the one who ought to have
attended on her had never made herself
known. With the sweet, tEasting faith
of childhood Yuddi did not gave way to
despair, but only strove to be better girl,
believing that if her guardian had not
come it was because she had not deserved
the boon.
Late one night, after Yuddi had been
asleep for several hours, she was startled
from her slumber by voice calling in the
sweetest tones she had ever heard:
"Awake, Yuddi, and see what have
brought theer' The child sat up on her
bed of dried rice leaves, rubbed her as
tonished eyes, which at length showed to
her the most beautiful being she had ever
seen. Yuddi knew at once that it was q
fairy It was not, however, such crea-
ture as our western writers have told us
of, or that we see in pictures or upon the
stage in pantomimes and spectacular plays.
It was not dressed in white gauze, nor did
# have butterfly like wings a I'D magic
wand. Mol This was an Indian fairy,
with o dark olive tinted skin and with
bare arms and feet. Round the body was
wound In numerous folds scarf Of some
many coiered material, in which shone
threads d gold. The folds fell almost to
the knees, below which appeared loose
trousers of semi-transparent silver gauze.
Round her wrists and ankles were mas
sive rings studded with gems.
A single diamond, brilliant as the
| "Kohinoor" itself-Queen Victoria's rich
est iewel-glittered on her forehead, sus-
tanned by narrow illet Of gold. From
this seemed to flow a soft light, which
suffused the hut. Once, when at the
bazaar, Yuddi had seen Nautch dancer,
who bore faint resemblance to the fairy.
That dancer had been, till now, her ideal
of beauty, but she saw at once how sur
passingly lovely was the present visitor.
Yuddi was not at all frightened, but she
glanced round with some anxiety to see
Il her parents were awake. They were
sleeping sound1y, and Yuddi could not
help feeling glad that she had this lovely
vision all to herself.
'T am awake she said; "what can
Yuddi, the little daughter Of Bi Lings, dc
to serve YOUR
''Nothing, child" answered the fairy
1T am come to serve you. You have
| longed for cloak; see, have brought
you one" and she held up before the girls
delighted gaze the most exquisite carmen,
she had ever beheld. 1t was of the pures1
white lambs wool, and round the collar
and edges were embroidered In letters Of
gold. some of the wisest sayings o.
Brahma. =.
ISIS that really for me, my very ownT
cried Yuddi.
eyes, my child, If you can keep the
O4OcsG
| of Truth and no one must wear it WHIT
does not speak perfect truth. II thu
| wearer deceives or equivocates, be 1t neve1
| 80 little, the word 'Falsifier' will appear
on it in letters of flaming scarlet. VIII
YOU take it and wear it?'
Now Yuddi had always been very
good little girl. Her mother had laugh
her how wicked it was to lie, and thu
teaching had gone home. It was not
however, without some little tremor thai
Yuddi answered:
81 will take it, and try to be worthy Il
wear it, oh my good fairy"
ssThat is well hope you will keel
It long. But there are other conditions Il
the gift. If the fatal word appears upo1
It. YOU must instantly take it off. TheI
the scarlet letters will fade away, ant
you must find some one to take it from
you, That person you must watch. l
he or she wears it in truth and purity al
is well; if not, you must seek till you cal
discover a proper and faithful owner
Will YOU promise to do all thisP"
"I will, - replied Yuddi, who was so de
/ termined to deserve to keep the cloak tina
the last named conditions did not great!
trouble her.
''Then let me place it round your shout
ders; and may all the Powers of Goot
grant you strength long to retain it.
With infinite gentleness and tenderness
the fairy wrapped Yuddi in the cloak and
laid her back upon the rustling couch a
moment later and all was dark and still
Lulled by the warmth of her new covering
Yuddi sank almost instantly into sleep
When she awoke again the morning wa:
far advanced. Her father had long gont
to his daily toll; but her mother stood
over her looking in wonder at the magic
garment. =
SIN the names OF Brah:na, silva ant
vishnu," exclaimed the wondering we
man, when she perceived her daughter te
be fully aroused, "where did you get that
cloaks''
Then Yuddi told The marvellous story
and the good woman who had a strong be
lief in the supernatural, and who, more
over, had never had cause to doubt he1
child's veracity, accepted it without 9
murmur.
ssYou are indeed blessed, my only one, =
she said as she clasped her to her breast.
ssStrive to retain the fairy's gift.n
All that morning Yuddi was intensely
u